About Curbside
Vancouver Island faces an existential threat to its food system. Only 10% of our food is grown on the island, leaving us dependent on a supply chain that is increasingly threatened by climate change. Building a local sustainable food system is challenging. We need to organize and help each other build it together.
Mission
To build a local, community-owned, and regenerative food system through innovative infrastructure, collaborative practices, and cooperative governance. In essence, bringing intentional and participatory organization to the local growing community. This means supporting existing growers, expanding access to those who want to but aren’t, and helping build a robust, resident-driven food sovereignty movement.
Vision
A world where, together, we harvest locally grown food. In other words, community members working together in cooperation to nourish themselves, the land, and one another.
Social, Economic, and Environmental Sustainability
- Social Sustainability: the production of healthy food that is accessible to all in a way that builds stronger social ties between community members
- Economic Sustainability: the organization is sufficiently funded to achieve its purpose
- Environmental Sustainability: the production of food doesn’t harm the environment. Instead, it works to build soil and bolster diverse ecosystems towards regeneration.
How can I help?
There are many ways you can help us build our cooperative depending on your skills, knowledge, and resources.
- We think that experts are made through experience, so with time and intention we can all become one in our own right. We would love to help you share your skills and wisdom by organizing a workshop with us. Not sure if you’re ready, reach out and let’s chat!
- Still learning (who isn’t)? Join one of our workshops to meet other growers, and gain new skills!
- Share your boulevard space with others to spread access to the joys of growing food, in community.
- If you don’t want to get too involved, that’s okay too. Joining is still a good way to support the project. Members build equity just by being members!
- Inspire people about how they can contribute to the realization of the vision so they have purchase and are incentivized to join.
- If you share the vision, join and help us realize it.
Eligibility requirements
- To be eligible for membership in the Association, an individual must be at least
16 years of age.
- Resident of Greater Victoria
Rules
When first getting started, all cooperatives create a set of rules that describe how they must operate and submit them to the government to make sure they meet certain requirements. A few important concepts from Curbside’s rules have been included below, though we encourage everyone to read our official rules document* when they have time.
Below are a few important concepts from Curbside’s Rules of Association, the full text of which can be found at curbsidefarms.coop/rules. This is a plain-language summary free of jargon and legal terminology, but we reference relevant sections from the official rules in case you want more information. The Rules of Association supersede this summary.
-
Open membership
Anyone over the age of 16 can join the cooperative as a member if they are willing and able to accept the responsibilities of membership. (rule 2.1)
All co-op applicants must buy one membership share in the cooperative ($10.00) to be accepted into membership. This share is payable by e-transfer to accounts@curbsidefarms.ca. (rule 3.1)
You can withdraw your membership at any time by giving written notice. You will be refunded your $10.00 membership share. (rules 2.8 and 3.4)
-
Membership classes
Co-op members will join one of two membership classes. Which class is right for you depends on how you’d like to participate in the activities of the co-op.
Every Curbside member is entitled to one vote in organizational decisions, no matter which class they are part of.
Community Members (most members will be part of this class!)
Community Members support Curbside by using its services and engaging with projects and activities on a casual basis.
Participation will look different for everyone, but might include activities like participating in Curbside events, giving feedback to organizers, and occasionally volunteering time, donating food or garden space, or sharing skills. There is no one way to be involved!
Community Members have the right to be involved in Curbside’s activities and they’re responsible for supporting the co-op through their general engagement in the community. (rule 2.7.2)
Worker Members
Worker Members are like employees of the co-op who carry out the daily operations like organizing community events, sourcing equipment, and administrative tasks.
We take on worker members as needed based on funding and work availability. Worker Members are hired like any other employee: they are interviewed and go through an onboarding process to become employees.
Worker Members still need to purchase one share in the co-op. (rule 2.7.1)
-
Membership responsibilities
Once per year, you must make an effort to attend the annual general meeting (AGM) either virtually or in person. We’ll give you at least seven days of notice before the meeting. If you can’t make it, you can read through the meeting minutes. (rule 4.7)
AGM attendance is important because we need to meet quorum requirements (a minimum number of members present) to make any decisions about the cooperative! You will also have the chance to vote on important decisions for the future of the cooperative. (rule 4.8)
Don’t worry–you won’t need to prepare anything for the meeting. Your presence and attention is enough. We try to keep AGMs as brief as possible to respect members’ time.
-
Governing the organization
Curbside is run by a Board of Directors. Directors are elected at the AGM and serve two-year terms but can be re-elected. (rules 4.1 and 5)
Directors manage the co-op’s operations by organizing meetings, forming committees, managing finances, and more. (rule 5)
If you have any concerns about these rules, please reach out to us! We will do our best to help or accommodate any difficulties with compliance.
Link to full rules page.